The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the floods that have struck the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Leomar A. Brustolin of Santa Maria:

Telegram

REVEREND EXCELLENCY
DOM LEOMAR BRUSTOLIN
ARCHBISHOP OF SANTA MARIA AND PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL SUL 3, NCBB

THE HOLY FATHER WISHES TO EXPRESS HIS PRAYERFUL SOLIDARITY WITH THE COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAINS THAT HAVE HIT THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL IN RECENT DAYS, LEAVING A TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION AND DEATH IN THEIR WAKE. POPE FRANCIS, WITH PATERNAL SOLICITUDE, WISHES TO ASSURE YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE OTHER BISHOPS OF THE REGION OF THE PRAYERS HE OFFERS FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF THE VICTIMS, AS WELL AS THE PRAYERS HE RAISES TO GOD MOST HIGH FOR THE HOMELESS FAMILIES, WISHING THAT THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE AFFECTED AREAS WILL TAKE PLACE QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY. AS A PLEDGE OF COMFORT, THE ROMAN PONTIFF IMPARTS THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THE SEVERE FLOODS.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE